JOB SUMMARY


Handles customer inquiries and lead requests for groups (e.g., Full Service and MSB, 10-99 peak room nights) within predefined Group Sales parameters. Works with customers to align customer preferences with brand needs and actively up-sells each business opportunity to maximize revenues and drive customer loyalty. Verifies that business is turned over properly and in a timely fashion for quality service delivery. Drives customer loyalty by delivering service excellence throughout each customer experience. Processes business correspondence and creates contracts and other related booking documentation as required. Demonstrates excellent selling skills, strong communication skills, and a detailed understanding of property operations, food and beverage, and planning.


CANDIDATE PROFILE
Education and Experience :
Required:

• High school diploma or GED; 2 years experience in the sales and marketing, guest services, front desk, or related professional area.

OR

• 2-year degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major; no work experience required.

Preferred:

• 2 years experience selling group business, either at a property or in a sales office.

• Knowledge of property operations, Food and Beverage (F&B).

• Knowledge of the group sales process for all brands and how to close a sale.

• Team-based selling experience.

• Hospitality Management Degree.

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES
Managing Sales Activities

• Handles customer inquiries and leads requests for groups (e.g., Full Service and MSB, 10-99 peak room nights)

• Responds in a timely manner to incoming group/catering opportunities that are within predefined Group Sales parameters.

• Refers opportunities to appropriate sales associate if business is outside these parameters.

• Works with customers to align customer preferences with brand needs and actively up-sells each business opportunity to maximize revenues and drive customer loyalty.

• Verifies that business is turned over properly and in a timely fashion for quality service delivery.

• Maintains customer loyalty by delivering service excellence throughout each customer experience.

• Demonstrates excellent selling skills, strong communication skills, and a detailed understanding of property operations, food and beverage, and planning.

• Works collaboratively with other sales channels (e.g., Area Sales, on-property resources) to verify sales efforts are coordinated, complementary, and not duplicative.

• Understands the overall market (e.g., competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand) and how to sell against them.

• Verifies that business booked is within hotel parameters.

• Closes the best opportunities for each property based on market conditions and individual property needs.

• Executes and supports the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposal, writing contract, customer correspondence).

• Transfers accurate, complete, and timely information to property in accordance with brand standards.

• Understands and actively utilizes company marketing initiative/incentives to close on business.

• Implements process improvements and best practices.

• Effectively leverages other Group Sales resources and administrative/support staff to achieve personal and team related revenue goals.

• Processes business correspondence and creates contracts and other related booking documentation as required.

• Performs other duties, as assigned, to meet business needs.

Building Successful Relationships

• Established coordinated sales efforts that are complementary and not duplicative.

• Drives customer loyalty through excellent customer service throughout the sales process.

• Serves the customer by understanding their needs and recommending appropriate features and services that best meet their needs.

• Builds and strengthens relationships with existing and new customers to enable future bookings.

• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

• Establishes clear expectations for customers and properties throughout the sales process.

• Effectively resolve guest issues that arise as a result of the sales process.

• Brings issues to the attention of Property and Group Sales leadership teams as appropriate.

Preferred Candidate to Reside in Northeast States.